The Power of Words

Sticks and stones break one's bones, but names will never hurt one. It appeared in The Christian Recorder, a publication of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, on March 22, 1862, where it was presented as an "old adage" in this form: Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.

We more than likely grew up knowing this children's nursery rhyme. I'm sure it was to encourage young ones, when they were being picked on or called names, that words could not really hurt them. Fast forward to the 2000's and everyone will tell you WORDS HURT.

I was surprised to learn the origin of the nursery rhyme came from religion. In the same vein, I'm not surprised that this familiar saying can be traced to religion. Many spiritual practices and various faiths put a great deal of importance on WORDS.

The much maligned practice of Witchcraft uses words for spells and encantations.What is the difference between a spell and an incantation? Spells are the generic term for all magical “actions.” Charms are a subset of spells (also hexes, jinxes, and curses). Charms affect the behavior of the “recipient” (human or object), but don't change its nature. The incantation is the word/words that the user actually says. (not my beliefs) - It is said an incantation can be used to turn a negative or limiting belief or thought into a positive one. Incantations have the power to rewire your brain and get you to take a positive action. Incantations are about speaking what you want to become. You can literally re-create yourself using incantations. It has also been said that we learn SPELLING in education, the process of being able to put our thoughts and intents into words and then sentences; casting spells. I think spelling may have been hyjacked.

One of the earliest records of a witch is in the Bible in the book of 1 Samuel, thought be written between 931 B.C. and 721 B.C. It tells the story of when King Saul sought the Witch of Endor to summon the dead prophet Samuel’s spirit to help him defeat the Philistine army. The witch roused Samuel, who then prophesied the death of Saul and his sons. The next day, according to the Bible, Saul’s sons died in battle, and Saul committed suicide.

Words have power. One positive or negative word from us to another person can affect their entire day. Words have the power to inspire, motivate, comfort, and heal. But they can also cause harm, pain, and damage to ourselves and others. Yet we throw words around so cavalierly, without much thought daily and especially on social media. WHY?

Many spiritual people meditate and use words of affirmation. According to the English American Dictionary, the definition of “to affirm” is to state that something is true. When applied to the spiritual life, an affirmation is a statement of truth which one aspires to absorb into his life. For the spiritual person, any negative, thoughts, speech, and/or actions are a no no.

Among a variety of religious activities, praying and chanting are quite common forms of practice in major religions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Chanting is a form of rhythmic, repetitive vocalization practiced in a wide range of cultures. It is used in spiritual practice to strengthen community, heal illness, and overcome psychological and emotional difficulties.A mantra can be a letter, a sound, a word or many words or sentences. Om is the most important and widely known mantra in Hinduism and Buddhism. Asian Indian ancient religious writings are of many mantras and rituals, as in the Vedas.  They constitute the most important expression of ritual offerings in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc.  Mantras with their meaning and intonation, are ritualistic offerings to the Godhead. 

In Christianity, both God and Satan exercise power through SPOKEN words (Gen 1:26, 3:4-5). God's words are true, eternal, and unchanging and the Bible is the living word (John 1:14). Satan's words are twisted truth, lies, and deception (Gen 3:4-5). Christians use words in the form of praying as a personal communication or petition addressed to a deity, especially in the form of supplication, adoration, praise, contrition, or thanksgiving. Prayer is seen as a form of spiritual communion with a deity. 

Words can wound people or build people up. The Bible is very clear about WORDS. In James 3:5 "Likewise the TONGUE is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a WORLD of EVIL among the parts of the body. It corrupts the WHOLE person, sets the WHOLE course of his LIFE on fire..." It goes on to say no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless EVIL full of deadly poison. It can praise God in one moment and curse others the next moment and it should not be that way. Freshwater and saltwater can not flow from the SAME spring and blessing and curses can not spring from the same source of the mouth. One will be true and the other will be false.

We are living in a time when everyone seems to be complaining, dissatifies, distraught, and out right miserable. The words coming from their mouths are highly negative. It almost seems as if this condition of 'meanness' is contagious. America has turned into a nation of BICKERERS. There is a constant pattern of opposition no matter the topic. People are offended and taking hard stances on any and everything. NOTHING is too small to spar about.

We have lost sight on how important our words are and that our words matter. Words can heal or cause harm. Mature mentally healthy people know the importance of their words and act accordingly. Once again, the Christian Bible states in Proverbs 10:19, “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” Even when praying the Christian is told in Matthew 6:7, "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." This is where the saying "You have ONE mouth and TWO ears for a reason" makes sense. Listen more than you speak.

Most people write off the Christian Bible as just a book filled with fairytales. I'm not here to argue about that. What I will say is there are many great passages that would serve humanity well if they were taken to heart. Ephesians 4:29 states, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” If you say I use this verse often, you're right. Guilty as charged.

During this presidention election, I would love for the presidential candidates to remember their words have power. Their words can be positive or negative. Their words can build or destroy. I also emplore those who listen to the candidate to be aware both GOOD and BAD words cannot flow from one source. Either good will be true or bad will be true. A good person does not issue from their mouth horrible things and a bad person doesn't present you with good from their mouth.

I leave you with this James 3:13-18:

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

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